Welcoming 685.000 visitors each year, the Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt (Dürkheim Sausage Market) is actually the largest wine festival in the world. Taking place annually on the second and third weekend of September, the Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt attracts wine lovers from across the globe to Bad Dürkheim, a quaint town famous for its German spa. Visitors can enjoy a selection of more than 3.000 wines, together with delicious sausages. 

The largest wine festival in the world

This legendary wine festival, which has been taking place for close to 600 years, runs across nine days each year. Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt is to wine what Oktoberfest is to German beer. Encompassing small traditional wine stands to large marquees, and even a wine village with some of the best wines in Germany and Europe, Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt offers something for every wine fanatic. 

The traditional Schubkarchständen lie at the heart of the wine festival, offering visitors space to socialise, seated on narrow wooden benches, while sampling the wide variety of wines on offer. Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt also features three different marquees, each with its own stage, for live music acts and performances. Each marquee has its own focus, with one offering local dishes with local beer and wines, another the best wines from the local winery Vier Jahreszeiten Winzer and the third, the largest of the three, the festival Hamel, offers a range of the finest local wines. 

Those in search of a quieter spot in which to indulge their wine tasting can find some calm in the slightly upscale wine village, where Riesling and sparkling wines are served in stemmed wine glasses. 

Wine, attractions and fireworks at the Dürkheim Wine Festival 

In addition to sampling some of the best wine vintages at the Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt, the festival offers a mix of spectacular rides and attractions for young and old to enjoy. Every year different fairground attractions are brought in, from giant Ferris Wheels and carousels to bumper cars, keeping things fun and fresh. 

It’s safe to say: the Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt festival offers many fun and unique activities, from the official opening ceremony on the first Friday through to the stunning farewell fireworks on the last day. 

Attending Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt

Keen on attending the Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt this year? For more information on the full programme, please visit the official wine festival website.